Yoko Ono, 1971, to include: (1) typed form letter signed, "Re: 'THIS IS NOT HERE' SHOW," September 28, 1971, one page, (8 1/2 x 11 in.), to Howard Smith (with Howard hand written in) inviting him to an exhibition preview on October 8th in Syracuse, New York and explaining transportation and accommodation details for him and her other guests. The show, of her work, was dedicated to John Lennon with the opening planned for his 31st birthday on October 9th. The letter is signed "Yoko Ono Lennon" and a phone number is included at the bottom for responses. The last sentence, explaining the dedication, is in a different font. Also included (1) envelope addressed to Smith, postmarked Sep 30 '71, New York, with (1) folding invitation to the opening for the "This Is Not Here" exhibition inside, rubber stamped on verso "R. S. P. YOKO ONO" and the phone number for the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse (apprx. 4 x 4 in.). The last item in the lot is (1) handwritten letter signed, on (2) paper postcards, both with a matte side and a glossy side and printed "A HOLE TO SEE THE SKY THROUGH YOKO ONO '71," four pages (written on both sides of both cards), (each 3 3/4 x 5 3/4 in.), discussing a disagreement between Ono and Smith and explaining artistic approaches she used in a piece from 1961 that were later used by other artists. Ono states that "my idea was to make music with just the sound during [the] course of [a] meal on a dinning set - sound made of eating, drinking, touching plates and each other." The letter is signed "Love, Yoko" and a telephone number is included at the end.


The letters from Yoko Ono to Smith were previously sold in 2006 at Julien's Auctions in California. According to Julien's, both letters are originally from the collection of Howard Smith.


Yoko Ono (b. 1933) worked as a conceptual and performance artist in New York City both before and after her marriage to John Lennon. "This is Not Here" was the first museum retrospective of her work. Lennon was "guest artist" and the show drew several other famous artists, poets, and musicians to the area for the occasion. Both her retrospective and the other exhibition referenced in this lot, "A Hole to See the Sky Through," focus on key themes in Ono's art such as audience participation. Howard Smith (1936-2014) was a journalist for The Village Voice, a radio reporter, and a documentary film director. He interviewed Ono and Lennon several times, including in 1971, on the same day that the album Imagine was released.


The first letter folded into thirds for mailing, mildly toned, small tears and loss at top edge, slight wrinkles; very good. The envelope fine, except where opened, with invitation showing age wear. The cards are mildly toned with light marks on glossy sides, otherwise fine.